&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Geographical indications are not a new concept and have been part of product identity throughout history.
However, the protection of geographical indications under intellectual property rights has its origins in
international agreements - e.g., the Paris Convention of 1883, the Madrid Agreement of 1891, the
Stressa Convention of 1951, and the Lisbon Agreement of 1958

Additional efforts have occurred under the auspices of the World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO) which has a standing committee considering the
protection of geographical indications. WIPO has hosted a number of
symposia on the issue and, in 1975, produced a draft international treaty for the
protection of geographical indications and a model national law.

More recently, the basic concepts developed under these agreements have been
incorporated into the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Trade Related
Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs). This agreement has become a
source of controversy regarding the evolution of geographical indication
protection on the international and national level.